The Forgotten Ancient Civilization Iceberg

Revision Needed

Part I

Introduction [00:00]

• Core Concept: Introduction to a new “Forgotten Ancient Civilizations Iceberg” series, inspired by the success of a previous “Ancient Egypt Iceberg.”
• Hard Facts:
  • Previous video: “Ancient Egypt Iceberg”.
  • This series focuses on “real ancient civilizations” that are less known.
  • Excludes well-known civilizations: Egypt, Greece, Rome, Babylon, Sumer, the Maya, the Aztec, and the Inca.
  • Patreon created due to demonetization of videos.
  • Creator has just entered University.
  • Iceberg will cover the first three layers in this episode.
  • This episode covers 28 distinct civilizations.
• Logic Flow:
  • Previous “Ancient Egypt Iceberg” was popular.
  • Creator decided to make another iceberg video.
  • This new iceberg focuses on “forgotten” civilizations.
  • Excludes commonly known civilizations mentioned in children’s books.
  • Creator’s videos were demonetized.
  • Creator started a Patreon to support video production.
  • This video (Part 1) will cover the first three layers of the iceberg.
• Key Terminology:
  • Iceberg: A visual metaphor where well-known topics are “above the water” and more obscure topics are “deeper” or “under the water.”

Iceberg Methodology and Scope [02:03]

• Core Concept: Explanation of how the iceberg structure works and what criteria are used for including civilizations.
• Hard Facts:
  • More obscure a civilization, the deeper it is.
  • This episode covers the first three layers.
  • This episode covers 28 distinct civilizations.
• Logic Flow:
  • Obscurity determines depth on the iceberg.
  • “Civilization” and “culture” are used loosely.
  • Criteria for inclusion: must have left a “substantial mark on the archaeological record” (e.g., cool art, huge monuments).
  • For each civilization:
    • Reason for its placement on the iceberg.
    • Most impressive monuments and achievements.
    • Marks it made.
    • What is known about its rise and fall (often not much).

Level One: Above the Iceberg [03:16]

• Core Concept: Civilizations in Level One are known to people interested in history/archaeology but are less famous than Ancient Egypt or Classical Greece.
• Hard Facts:
  • Level one civilizations are “above the iceberg.”
  • Descriptions for these are less descriptive than deeper levels.

Carthage / The Phoenicians [03:40]

• Core Concept: Carthage and the Phoenicians are well-known due to Roman history and their mercantile activities.
• Hard Facts:
  • Carthage is famous due to the Punic Wars.
  • Hannibal Barca is a famous military genius.
  • Flourished in the Iron Age.
  • Colonized a huge chunk of the Mediterranean, including North Africa, parts of Spain, the Balearic Islands, Sardinia, and Sicily.
  • Possibly circumnavigated Africa on behalf of the 26th Dynasty Egyptian pharaoh Neco II.
  • Names still in use today: Cadiz (Cadiz), Agadir (Agadir).
  • 26th Dynasty Egyptian pharaoh Neco II.
• Logic Flow:
  • Carthage is placed high on the iceberg due to its prominence in Roman history (Punic Wars, Hannibal Barca).
  • Phoenicians/Carthaginians were mercantile people.
  • They colonized widely.
  • Their seamanship allowed them to explore far regions.
  • Phoenician culture was influenced by Egypt.
  • Carthaginians were an offshoot of Phoenicians.
  • Phoenicians were a form of Canaanite.
• Key Terminology:
  • Punic Wars: Wars between Rome and Carthage.
  • Tophets: Cemeteries where Carthaginians buried infant children sacrificed to their gods.

Assyria [05:03]

• Core Concept: Assyria is well-known for its vast empire and distinctive art.
• Hard Facts:
  • Conquered much of the Near East, including Egypt.
  • Dominated between the 9th and 7th centuries BC.
  • Palace sites: Nimrud, Nineveh.
  • Lamassu found in museums, e.g., Brooklyn Museum.
  • The dominant version of the state is the Neo-Assyrian Empire.
  • Began as the city-state of Assur around 2025 BC.
  • Conquered the ancient Kingdom of Israel.
  • Empire collapsed quickly, Assur falling in 614 BC.
• Logic Flow:
  • Assyria is well-known due to its extensive conquests.
  • Their art (reliefs, lamassu) was meant to impress foreign ambassadors.
  • The Neo-Assyrian Empire was the fourth version of Assyria.
  • They conquered Israel and resettled tribes, creating the “10 lost tribes.”
  • They were an important non-biblical source for Israelites and early Arabs.
  • Non-Assyrian peoples (Jans, Medes) revolted, leading to the empire’s collapse.
  • Assyrians still exist as a people and have their own church.
• Key Terminology:
  • Lamassu: Human-bull hybrid gate guardians that decorated Assyrian palaces.
  • Neo-Assyrian Empire: The fourth and dominant version of the Assyrian state.
  • 10 lost tribes: Tribes of Israel resettled by Assyria.

Minoans [06:21]

• Core Concept: The Minoans were one of the first civilizations in Europe, precursors to ancient Greece, known for palaces and bull culture.
• Hard Facts:
  • Inhabited the island of Crete.
  • Palace centers: Knossos, Phaistos.
  • Frescos often fragmentary, heavily restored.
  • Discovered by Sir Arthur Evans.
  • Writing systems: Linear A (undeciphered), Linear B.
  • Phaistos Disc.
  • Presence on Santorini (Akrotiri).
  • Huge volcanic eruption on Santorini buried Akrotiri.
• Logic Flow:
  • Minoans are famous as early European civilization and precursors to Greece.
  • They built multi-story palaces with frescos.
  • Named “Minoans” due to legends of King Minos and the Minotaur.
  • Obsessed with bulls, held bull-fighting tournaments.
  • Minoan women wore long skirts and were topless.
  • Had two writing systems and the Phaistos Disc.
  • Their settlement Akrotiri on Santorini was buried by a volcanic eruption.
  • The eruption might have contributed to Minoan downfall, possibly involving Mycenaeans.
• Key Terminology:
  • Linear A: Undeciphered Minoan writing system.
  • Linear B: Minoan writing system.
  • Fresco: Wall paintings, often fragmentary and heavily restored.
  • Phaistos Disc: An enigmatic artifact with an undeciphered script.

Mycenaeans [07:51]

• Core Concept: The Mycenaeans, often paired with Minoans, were a Bronze Age civilization known for their city-states, cyclopean masonry, and warrior culture.
• Hard Facts:
  • Major sites: Mycenae, Pylos, Tiryns.
  • Had a presence at Athens and Thebes.
  • Agamemnon’s mask dates to the 16th century BC, predating The Iliad.
  • Conquered Crete around 1450 BC.
• Logic Flow:
  • Mycenaeans are frequently linked with Minoans.
  • They were split into city-states, similar to classical successors.
  • Known for “cyclopean masonry” for palace walls.
  • Buried elites in richly furnished “tholos tombs.”
  • The Mask of Agamemnon is a famous artwork, though misattributed.
  • Believed to be the people who fought in the Trojan War.
  • Their civilization was discovered partly due to the search for ancient heroes.
  • Had distinct armor (bronze panoply, bore tusk helmets) and intricate designs on rings/gems.
  • Assimilated Minoan culture after conquering Crete.
  • Collapsed, possibly due to earthquakes, new peoples, or involvement with the Sea Peoples.
• Key Terminology:
  • Cyclopean masonry: Building technique using huge limestone boulders roughly fitted together, believed by later Greeks to be the work of Cyclops.
  • Tholos tombs: Beehive-shaped, richly furnished tombs for Mycenaean elites.
  • Mask of Agamemnon: Famous gold mask, misattributed to the king from The Iliad.
  • Sea Peoples: Groups believed to have pillaged the Eastern Mediterranean during the Bronze Age collapse.

Neolithic British Isles [09:32]

• Core Concept: The people of the Neolithic British Isles are known for building Stonehenge and other megalithic structures.
• Hard Facts:
  • Made Stonehenge.
  • Lived in the Stone Age.
  • Built long barrows (megalithic communal tombs).
  • Built Thornborough Henges.
  • Built structures in Orkney: Ring of Brodgar, Standing Stones of Stenness.
  • Built passage tombs in Ireland: Newgrange.
• Logic Flow:
  • Included despite being Stone Age due to being settled farmers and building enormous megaliths.
  • Their lack of metal tools makes their achievements more impressive.
  • Built various monumental structures.
  • Their fate involved being either wiped out or assimilated by the subsequent Bronze Age culture.
• Key Terminology:
  • Megaliths: Large stone structures, like those built in the Neolithic British Isles.
  • Long barrows: Megalithic communal tombs.
  • Passage tombs: Huge tombs with a passage leading to a central chamber.

La Tene Celts [10:25]

• Core Concept: The La Tene Celts represent the late Iron Age Celtic culture, known for their fierce warrior reputation and resistance to Roman conquest.
• Hard Facts:
  • “La Tene” is an archaeological term for late Iron Age Celts.
  • Widespread across Europe, including central Anatolia.
  • Fought against Romans, notably Julius Caesar.
  • Celtic culture persisted in Scotland, Ireland, Brittany, Cornwall, Wales, Isle of Man.
• Logic Flow:
  • Known as fierce, torque-bearing, nude warriors.
  • Ultimately conquered by Romans in most of Europe.
  • Held out ethnically against Germanic peoples who overran Romans.
  • Pride in Celtic descent and desire to preserve Celtic languages/ways of life make them well-known.
• Key Terminology:
  • La Tene: Archaeological term for the late Iron Age Celts.
  • Torque: A neck ring worn by Celts.

Easter Island (Rapa Nui) [11:15]

• Core Concept: Easter Island is widely recognized for its enormous moai statues, a unique writing system, and a culture that faced environmental challenges and European contact.
• Hard Facts:
  • Also known as Rapa Nui.
  • Famous for “moai” heads.
  • Night of the Museum features a “Gum Gum” moai.
  • American Museum of Natural History has a plaster cast of a moai.
  • Nearly 900 enormous stone statues made.
  • Moai tradition lasted from 1100 to 1650 roughly.
  • Ringorongo writing system still undeciphered.
  • Island devastated by contact with Europeans.
  • Almost all moai toppled by 1868.
• Logic Flow:
  • Everyone knows about the moai heads.
  • Speculation that making moai stripped the island of trees.
  • Moai are not just heads; some have long bodies with petroglyphs, inlaid coral eyes, and red topknots (pukao).
  • Moai tradition may have been replaced by the Birdman cult.
  • Birdman cult involved a deadly competition to collect the first egg of the bird mating season.
  • Had a unique, undeciphered writing system (Rongorongo).
  • European contact led to the island’s devastation and the toppling of moai.
• Key Terminology:
  • Moai: Enormous stone statues on Easter Island.
  • Pukao: Red topknots on some moai.
  • Birdman cult: A cult that may have replaced the moai tradition, involving a dangerous competition.
  • Rongorongo: A unique, undeciphered writing system of Easter Island.

Level Two: On the Iceberg [12:42]

• Core Concept: Civilizations in Level Two are still relatively well-known but are “on the iceberg itself,” meaning they are less universally recognized than those in Level One.

The Etruscans [12:52]

• Core Concept: The Etruscans were a dominant civilization in Northern Italy before being eclipsed by Rome, influencing early Roman culture.
• Hard Facts:
  • Figured prominently in early Roman history.
  • Dominance over Northern Italy from around 700 BC.
  • Eclipsed by Rome in the 4th Century BC.
  • Rome’s last three kings were Etruscan.
  • Necropoli: Monterozzi, Banditaccia.
  • Bronzes: Chimera of Arezzo, Mars of Todi.
  • Formed the “League of 12 Peoples.”
  • Established colonies across Italy, from Campania in the South to the Po Valley in the North.
  • 7th Century bottle statuette inscribed with their alphabet found in the Met Museum.
  • Etruscan language not fully deciphered.
  • Veii (first Etruscan city conquered by Rome) fell in 396 BC.
  • Caere (last independent Etruscan city-state conquered) fell in 264 BC.
  • Etruscan citizens participated in the first recorded gladiatorial game in 264 BC.
  • Became citizens of Rome during the Social War in 90 BC.
• Logic Flow:
  • Etruscans are well-known due to their influence on early Rome.
  • They left behind spectacular art (sarcophagus effigies, rock-cut tombs, bronzes).
  • Divided into independent city-states but formed a loose confederation.
  • Their art was influenced by Greeks but had a distinct flare.
  • Spoke a pre-Indo-European language and used their own alphabet, direct ancestor of the Latin alphabet.
  • Origins debated in antiquity (Lydian migration theory) but probably indigenous, emerging from the Villanovan culture.
  • Gradually superseded by Rome through conquest.
• Key Terminology:
  • Sarcophagus Effigies: Lively sculptures on Etruscan sarcophagi.
  • Rock-cut tombs: Tombs carved into rock, often vividly decorated.
  • League of 12 Peoples: A loose confederation of Etruscan city-states.
  • Villanovan culture: An earlier culture seen as the first phase of Etruscan culture.

The Olmec [15:09]

• Core Concept: The Olmec are Mesoamerica’s “mother civilization,” known for their colossal stone heads and originating many Mesoamerican traditions.
• Hard Facts:
  • Mesoamerica’s “mother civilization.”
  • Lasted from 1200 to 400 BC in Mesoamerica’s formative period.
  • Three major cities near the Gulf Coast of Mexico in Tabasco and Veracruz: San Lorenzo, La Venta (with the Great Pyramid), and Tres Zapotes.
  • Jade from mines in the Guatemalan Highlands.
  • Jade “votive axes” depicting a human-jaguar hybrid god.
  • Cascajal Block.
  • Olmec style art found hundreds of miles away at Chalcatzingo, Oxtotitlan Cave, and Takalik Abaj.
• Logic Flow:
  • Anyone delving into ancient Mesoamerica will encounter the Olmec.
  • Best known for colossal stone heads, possibly representing rulers.
  • Skilled sculptors and jade workers.
  • Their chief god was a human-jaguar hybrid.
  • Initiated many Mesoamerican traditions: ball game, bloodletting.
  • May have invented the first writing system in the Americas (Cascajal Block, Isthmian script).
  • First to use the Long Count calendar.
  • Olmec influence spread widely, possibly through direct control or imitation.
  • Reasons for disappearance unknown (maybe environmental factors).
  • Succeeded by the Epi-Olmec culture, who continued to occupy Tres Zapotes.
• Key Terminology:
  • Mother civilization: A civilization that greatly influences subsequent cultures in a region.
  • Colossal stone heads: Large sculpted heads, characteristic of Olmec art.
  • Mesoamerican ball game: A ritualistic sport played in ancient Mesoamerica.
  • Bloodletting: A ritual practice of drawing blood for religious purposes.
  • Cascajal Block: An artifact with early Olmec writing.
  • Isthmian script: An enigmatic script that may be an intermediary between Olmec and Maya glyphs.
  • Long Count calendar: A calendar system used in Mesoamerica.
  • Epi-Olmec: The culture that succeeded the Olmec.

The Hittites [17:13]

• Core Concept: The Hittites were a major Bronze Age power in Anatolia and the Near East, rivals of Egypt, known for their meticulous record-keeping and Indo-European languages.
• Hard Facts:
  • Arch rivals of Egypt, famous for the Battle of Kadesh with Ramesses the Great.
  • Empire spread over much of Anatolia, northern Levant, and Mesopotamia.
  • Existed between 1650 and 1180 BC.
  • Core territory called the “Land of Hatti.”
  • History divided into Old, Middle, and New Kingdoms.
  • Capital: Hattusa.
  • Royal archives contain tens of thousands of clay tablets.
  • Tablets inscribed in Akkadian, Hittite, and Luwian cuneiform.
  • Hittite and Luwian are the oldest recorded Indo-European languages.
  • Luwian could also be written in hieroglyphs.
  • Sites: Alaca Höyük (Egyptian-inspired sphinxes, double-headed eagle), Yazilikaya (rock sanctuary), Felsar Monument (flat on Pinar), rock reliefs.
  • Troy (Woosa) was a vassal kingdom under the Hittites.
  • Victim of the Bronze Age collapse.
• Logic Flow:
  • Well-known to those studying the Bronze Age Near East due to conflict with Egypt and mentions in the Bible.
  • Did not leave as many monuments as Egyptians but are known for detailed historical records (royal archives).
  • Their languages, Hittite and Luwian, are significant for Indo-European studies.
  • Their sites feature distinctive architecture and rock reliefs.
  • Collapsed due to the Bronze Age collapse, facing assaults from Assyrians, Sea Peoples, and other groups.
• Key Terminology:
  • Battle of Kadesh: Famous battle between Ramesses the Great of Egypt and the Hittites.
  • Land of Hatti: The core territory of the Hittite Empire.
  • Cuneiform: A system of writing used in ancient Mesopotamia and by the Hittites.
  • Indo-European languages: A large language family, including Hittite and Luwian.
  • Bronze Age collapse: A period of widespread societal collapse in the Near East, Aegean region, and Eastern Mediterranean.

The Indus Valley Civilization (Harappans) [18:57]

• Core Concept: The Indus Valley Civilization was an early urban river valley civilization, known for sophisticated city planning, advanced infrastructure, and an undeciphered writing system.
• Hard Facts:
  • Primarily lived along the Indus River Valley.
  • Many sites in Pakistan, India, and Afghanistan.
  • Also called Harappans after Harappa (first excavated city).
  • Other cities: Mohenjo-Daro (largest, best preserved), Dholavira, Rakhigarhi, Ganweriwala, Lothal.
  • Existed from roughly 3500 BC to 1300 BC.
  • Stone Priest-King statue.
  • Bronze Dancing Girl statue.
  • Undeciphered script found on tons of seals.
  • Mohenjo-Daro famously had a “Great Bath” in its Citadel.
  • History divided into early, mature (golden age), and late phases.
• Logic Flow:
  • Decently well-known, often mentioned alongside Egypt and Mesopotamia as early urban river valley civilizations.
  • Built sophisticated, well-planned cities with tens of thousands of people.
  • Capable of producing sweet statues and terracotta figurines.
  • Had an undeciphered written language.
  • Constructed elaborate sewage systems, baths, toilets, and wells.
  • Oddly egalitarian, with no obvious palaces or royal tombs, though cities had higher (Citadel) and lower parts.
  • Collapsed possibly due to Indo-Aryan arrival, droughts, changing river course, or a combination of factors.
• Key Terminology:
  • Harappans: Another name for the Indus Valley Civilization.
  • Indus Script: The undeciphered written language of the Indus Valley Civilization.
  • Great Bath: A large, possibly ritualistic, bath found in Mohenjo-Daro’s Citadel.

Nubia (Kingdom of Kush) [20:58]

• Core Concept: The Kingdom of Kush was a Nubian civilization heavily influenced by Egypt but with its own distinct culture, known for its pyramids and powerful female rulers.
• Hard Facts:
  • Refers to the Kingdom of Kush, not preceding cultures (A-Group, Kerma Culture).
  • Sudan technically has more pyramids than Egypt.
  • A line of Kushite rulers conquered Egypt in the mid-8th Century BC, becoming Egypt’s 25th Dynasty.
  • Ruled Egypt until 656 BC when kicked out by Assyrians.
  • Initial capital: Napata, next to Jebel Barkal (sacred to Amun).
  • Cemeteries: El-Kurru, Nuri (kings buried under steep-sided pyramids).
  • Monuments: Colossi of Natakamani, temples of Naqa and Meroë (with an elephant sphinx).
  • Napata sacked by Egyptians around 591 BC.
  • Later capital: Meroë, where even more pyramids were erected.
  • Developed their own hieroglyphic script called Meroitic.
  • Meroë fell in the 4th Century AD.
  • Succeeded by three smaller Coptic Orthodox kingdoms: Nobatia, Alodia, and Makuria.
  • Latter two remained independent and Christian into the 15th century.
• Logic Flow:
  • Becoming better known, with recent exhibits and facts like Sudan having more pyramids than Egypt.
  • Heavily influenced by Egypt, which controlled Nubia for centuries.
  • Despite influence, not just derivative; Kushite rulers even conquered Egypt.
  • Buried kings under pyramids.
  • Female rulers were more common in Kush than Egypt (inheriting matrilineally).
  • Queen Mothers (Kandakes, where “Candice” comes from) were powerful.
  • Capital moved from Napata to Meroë after Egyptian sacking.
  • Developed unique Meroitic script.
  • Collapsed in 4th century AD, replaced by Christian kingdoms.
• Key Terminology:
  • Kingdom of Kush: The Nubian civilization discussed.
  • 25th Dynasty: The line of Kushite kings who ruled Egypt.
  • Jebel Barkal: A mountain sacred to the god Amun near Napata.
  • Kandakes: Powerful Queen Mothers in Kush, sometimes assuming the throne themselves.
  • Meroitic: The hieroglyphic script developed in Meroë.

Göbekli Tepe [23:05]

• Core Concept: Göbekli Tepe is an extraordinary archaeological site in Anatolia, possibly the oldest temple in the world, built by pre-agricultural hunter-gatherers.
• Hard Facts:
  • Extraordinary site on a mountaintop in Southeastern Anatolia.
  • Might be the oldest temple in the world.
  • Made of circular enclosures with enormous t-shaped pillars.
  • Built and used somewhere between 9,500 and 8,000 BC (11,000 years ago).
  • Radiocarbon dating from plaster and charcoal.
  • Made during the Pre-Pottery Neolithic period (10,000 BC to 6,500 BC).
  • Discovered in the 1990s by Klaus Schmidt.
  • Other similar sites: Karahan Tepe.
  • Pre-Pottery Neolithic sites: Jericho (Tower, plastered skulls), ‘Ain Ghazal (plaster and reed statues).
  • Jericho Tower might be the oldest piece of monumental architecture in the world.
• Logic Flow:
  • Its exceptional nature means many people know about it despite its recent discovery.
  • Features large, decorated T-shaped pillars.
  • Existence during the Pre-Pottery Neolithic period (before widespread agriculture) makes it especially impressive.
  • No evidence its builders practiced agriculture, despite being a settlement site with rainwater collection and beer brewing vessels.
  • Other contemporaneous sites also show fascinating early monumental architecture and artistic practices.
• Key Terminology:
  • Göbekli Tepe: The site itself, possibly the oldest temple.
  • T-shaped pillars: Distinctive architectural feature of Göbekli Tepe.
  • Pre-Pottery Neolithic period: Period when the first villages appeared and agriculture was adopted.

Canaanites [25:03]

• Core Concept: The Canaanites were Semitic-speaking peoples of the southern Levant during the Bronze Age, known for their warring city-states and role in trade networks, and heavily influenced by Egypt and Mesopotamia.
• Hard Facts:
  • Semitic-speaking peoples.
  • Inhabited the southern Levant during the 3rd and 2nd millennia BC (Bronze Age).
  • Mentioned many times in the Bible (Joshua, Hebrews).
  • Phoenicians were Canaanites.
  • Important city-states: Hazor, Gezer, Megiddo (where “Armageddon” comes from), Lachish, Beth She’an, Byblos (where “Bible” comes from), Tyre, Sidon, Shechem, Ugarit.
  • Most were under the suzerainty of the Pharaoh during the Egyptian New Kingdom.
  • Hyksos (a group of Canaanites) conquered Lower Egypt for a time during Egypt’s Second Intermediate Period.
  • Kingdom of Mitanni and Hittites also had stakes in the region.
  • Egyptian New Kingdom pharaohs (Thutmose III, Ramesses II) campaigned against their influence.
• Logic Flow:
  • Well-known due to biblical mentions and their role in Bronze Age trade.
  • Were not a united whole but divided into warring city-states.
  • Heavily influenced by Egyptians and Mesopotamians.
  • Egyptian influence seen in pseudo-Egyptian anthropoid coffins and gods wearing Egyptian headdresses.
  • Egyptians pulled out during the Bronze Age collapse due to Sea Peoples.
  • Coalesced into various kingdoms (Judah, Israel) at the beginning of the Iron Age.
• Key Terminology:
  • Canaanites: Catchall term for Semitic-speaking peoples in the southern Levant during the Bronze Age.
  • Levant: A geographical area in the Eastern Mediterranean.
  • Hyksos: A group of Canaanites who conquered Lower Egypt.
  • Anthropoid coffins: Human-shaped coffins.

The Scythians [27:07]

• Core Concept: The Scythians were Eastern Iranian nomads who played a huge role across Eurasia, known for their fierce mounted archery, unique customs, and elaborate burial mounds.
• Hard Facts:
  • Eastern Iranian Nomads.
  • Played a huge role in Siberia, Central Asia, Eastern Europe, the Balkans, Near East, and India.
  • Divided into two groups: Scythians (Pontic Steppe, 7th-3rd centuries BC) and Sakas (Asian Steppe, lasted longer).
  • Herodotus mentioned Scythians didn’t wash bodies, used hemp vapor.
  • Left behind huge burial mounds called kurgans.
  • Kurgans: Arzhan Kurgans, Pazyryk burials, Issyk Kurgan.
  • Siberian permafrost preserved mummies with tattoos.
  • Sakas formed kingdoms in the Tarim Basin (Khotan, Kashgar) and became Buddhists.
  • Indo-Scythians crushed the Indo-Greek Kingdom.
  • Indo-Scythian kingdoms in Northwestern and South Asia (Western Satraps) lasted until around 400 AD.
  • Scythian dominance on the Pontic Steppe ended in the 3rd century BC.
  • Defeated by Celts, Germans, and Sarmatians.
  • Ran two smaller kingdoms in Crimea and along the Danube (Scythia Minor).
• Logic Flow:
  • Known for their fierce mounted archery and nomadic lifestyle.
  • Customs included vapor baths with hemp.
  • Buried elites in kurgans with lavish goods.
  • Mummies with tattoos were preserved by permafrost and embalming.
  • Sakas established kingdoms and adopted Buddhism in parts of Asia.
  • Indo-Scythians influenced India.
  • Scythian dominance declined due to other groups, leading to smaller, sedentary, Hellenized kingdoms before assimilation.
• Key Terminology:
  • Nomads: People who move from place to place rather than settling permanently.
  • Kurgans: Huge burial mounds of the Scythians.
  • Steppe: Large, flat grasslands.
  • Scythia Minor: Smaller kingdoms of the Scythians in Crimea and along the Danube.

Level Three: Under the Water [29:16]

• Core Concept: Civilizations in Level Three are “under the water,” meaning they are less commonly known and might even make a history buff learn something new.

Early Cycladic Civilization [29:27]

• Core Concept: This early Bronze Age civilization in the Cyclades is famous for its abstract marble figurines and faced periods of unrest.
• Hard Facts:
  • Existed in and named after the Cyclades (islands in the Aegean).
  • Emerged around 3200 BC in the early Bronze Age.
  • Divided into two phases: Grotta-Pelos period (Early Cycladic 1) and Keros-Syros period (Early Cycladic 2 - zenith).
  • Produced “strangely abstract marble figure figurines,” most common type is “folded arms figurine.”
  • Traces of paint on figurines suggest they were painted.
  • Made elaborate terracotta and stone “frying pans.”
  • End of Early Cycladic 2 period: old settlements abandoned, new heavily fortified ones built in remote locations.
  • Male figurines with baldrics and daggers produced during this period.
  • Sites suffered intense looting.
  • Market flooded with forgeries of figurines.
  • Many excavated figurines come from graves.
• Logic Flow:
  • Gets its name from the Cyclades, islands rich in minerals and marble.
  • Reached its peak during the Keros-Syros period with a population boom.
  • Best known for mass-produced abstract marble figurines, especially the “folded arms” type.
  • Also made interesting “frying pans” whose purpose is unknown.
  • Evidence suggests unrest (fortified settlements, male figurines with weapons), possibly due to conflicts over resources and trade.
  • Looting has obscured much of the archaeological context of these figurines, leading to many forgeries.
• Key Terminology:
  • Cyclades: A group of islands in the Aegean Sea.
  • Grotta-Pelos period (Early Cycladic 1): Earlier phase of Early Cycladic civilization.
  • Keros-Syros period (Early Cycladic 2): Zenith of Early Cycladic civilization.
  • Folded arms figurine: The most common type of abstract marble figurine.
  • Baldricks: Belts worn over the shoulder to support a sword or dagger.

The Nabataeans [31:13]

• Core Concept: The Nabataeans were an Arab kingdom whose capital, Petra, is famous for its rock-cut architecture, fueled by their wealth from taxing incense trade routes.
• Hard Facts:
  • Arabs who lived in what’s now Jordan, Israel, Sinai, and Northwestern Saudi Arabia.
  • Organized into a single kingdom, the Kingdom of Nabataea.
  • Capital: Petra, famous for enormous funerary monuments cut into sandstone canyons.
  • Al-Khazneh (the Treasury) was most likely a mausoleum for Aretas IV.
  • Aretas IV was the Nabataean’s greatest king of the early 1st century.
  • Petra built in the middle of the desert along caravan routes.
  • Other impressive cities: Hegra (now Saudi Arabia), Avdat (now Israel).
  • Kingdom thriving by late 4th Century BC.
  • First known king ascended throne in 168 BC.
  • Managed to fend off Romans for centuries.
  • Annexed into the Roman Empire in 106 AD under Trajan.
  • Became the Roman province of Arabia Petraea.
• Logic Flow:
  • Well-known for Petra, especially from Indiana Jones.
  • Built amazing monuments due to wealth from taxing incense caravans.
  • Developed elaborate waterworks (cisterns, aqueducts) to make desert cities hospitable.
  • Played an important role in Judean politics.
  • Eventually annexed by Rome and declined due to loss of trade significance and eclipse by Palmyra.
• Key Terminology:
  • Petra: The capital city of the Nabataeans, famous for its rock-cut architecture.
  • Al-Khazneh (The Treasury): Most famous building in Petra, likely a mausoleum.
  • Aretas IV: A great Nabataean king.
  • Hegra: Another impressive Nabataean city.
  • Arabia Petraea: Roman province formed from the annexed Nabataean kingdom.

Teotihuacan [33:06]

• Core Concept: Teotihuacan was a spectacular ancient city in central Mexico, revered by the Aztecs as the “birthplace of the gods,” known for its massive pyramids and widespread influence on the Maya.
• Hard Facts:
  • Spectacular ancient city 40 km Northeast of Mexico City.
  • Aztecs referred to it as “the birthplace of the gods” or Teotihuacan.
  • Dominated Mesoamerica.
  • One of the biggest populations globally at its height (400-600 AD), holding 100,000 to 200,000 people.
  • Two enormous pyramids: Pyramid of the Sun (second biggest in Central America) and Pyramid of the Moon.
  • Third largest pyramid: Temple of the Feathered Serpents.
  • Hundreds of sacrificial burials found beneath the Temple of the Feathered Serpents.
  • Produced huge quantities of distinct greenstone masks.
  • Heavily influenced the Maya.
  • People from Teotihuacan installed as rulers of Tikal and Cop

Missing

• Tiwanku 35:15
• Anasazi/Ancestral Puebloans 37:50
• Nazca 40:39

Provide information in the same way, but only for these sections, not what you have already done.

Part II

Part III

Part IV

Part V